Here is the template of codes we use for processing poetry. Poems submitted with the codes already in place will be processed much faster. Please put the word MARKED in all caps in the subject line if you have, in fact, marked the copy.
We will gladly accept poetry submitted without the codes. Things will just take a bit longer, that's all.
Each code begins with a period flush left, followed immediately by a single letter code, and a space. The codes are case SENSITIVE. If it's lowercase here, then it should be lowercase on your submission.
In this example, we have placed an explanation of each code immediately after it. Please replace our explanations with the actual information.
Poetry should be sent to poetry@daypoems.net. Please direct questions to tbovee@daypoems.net.
As we begin, note that .+ means start processing .- means stop processing .# is a comment .# The start processing line follows: .+ .a FirstName MiddleName LastName::21 .e emailaddress@isp.com .t Title of the Poem Followed by an Empty Line .y When written, such as 2003.4.1 for May 1, 2003 .z Where written, such as Australia or Shawnee, Oklahoma, United States .h Header line (or subtitle) in italics First line of the poem Second line of the poem That empty line was a break for a stanza Fourth line of the poem Now the end of the poem Which is two periods, thus .. .- .# And now we stop processing with the .- marker.
Although comments aren't really needed after processing is stopped, since nothing is processed until another .+ symbol is encountered to start processing again.
After the mark-up, the file is scanned by a fairly simple script written in Perl and is put in a PostGresSql database, from which other Perl scripts produce the pages for DayPoems.